BENEFITING BEINGS AS VAST AS SPACE THROUGH THE CHENREZIG MEDITATION AND MENTAL RECITATION OF THE SACRED MANTRA OF CHENREZIG, THE COMPASSIONATE ONE Introduction and translation by Geshe Dakpa Topgyal. The Clwnrezig practice has been effectively engaged in for thousands of years. This essential version was composed by the Second Panchen Lama, S6nam Choklang (1438-1505).
BENEFITING BEINGS AS VAST AS SPACE THROUGH THE CHENREZIG MEDITATION AND MENTAL RECITATION OF THE SACRED MANTRA OF CHENREZIG, THE COMPASSIONATE ONE ( Introduction and translation by Geshe Dakpa Topgyal. The Chenrezig practice has been effectively engaged in for thousands of years. This essential version was composed by the Second Panchen Lama, Sdnam Choklang (1438-1505).
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1-4 The meaning of the six syllable mantra 4-6 Homage to the precious Bodhkitta 7 Chenrezig Saddhana practice text 9-18
INTRODUCTION In Sanskrit the word for compassion is karum, and the word for love is metta. In general, compassion and love form the indispensable seed or root of Buddha's teachings, and in particular, they are the life-force of the Mahayana path to enlightmment It is not possible to attain full enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings through any other means or path imless you first diligently put effort into developing love and compassion in your heart and mind. Among the various types of Yidams or tweties that are helpful to your spiritual practia and its growth, the Yidam Atya Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit) is the best one for developing love and compassion. All Buddhas and Bodhisattva praise and recommend using Arya Chenrezig for generating love and compassion, as they consider him the most effective and powerful for this purpose. It is important to realize that in this moment you have obtained a precious human life, with free will and the opportunity to act from your own choice. You also have found the precious teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, and you have met a precious teacher, whose work is no different from Buddha's deeds in terms of his teaching and spiritual instructions on the path to enlightenment All of these qualities are rare and difficult to encounter, and possessing them enables you to reach enlightenment within this single lifetime. According to Buddhism, it is also extremely difficult and extremely rare to again obtain a precious human rebirtll Therefore, it is important to realize that in this lifetime you have already met with all the essential intemal and external causes and conditions to attain enlightenment for the benefit of au the confused sentient beings who are constanfiy tormented by samsaric pain and suffering. You must take advantage of this precious opportunity, as you have no certainty that you will obtain a precious human rebhlh again. You should generate a strong intention to reach enlightenment for the benefit of others and then reahze the importance of developing love and compassion wiffiin your heart and mind by engaging in the Yidam Arya Chenrezig Sadhana. This practice utilizes Yidam Arya Chenrezig, who is tiheembodiment of compassion of all the Buddhas of the past, pr^ent;, and future. Like Arya Chenrezig you must fully develop love and cxjmpassion towards all sentient beings with no exception. Without doing so, the Mahayana path to enlightenment will not arise in yom mental ccmtinuum no matter how deeply you understand Mahayana paths and bhumis^ Therefore, you must first make an effort to train your mind in love and compassion fiuough the process of making your mind familiar with the actual feeling of love and compassion. Love and compassion here do not mean merely a nice feeling towards others. Love and compassion are much more than this, and they must be deliberately cultivated tiwoughmeditation. Love is a sincere and spontaneous wish that all others experience true happiness and its causes and compassion is a sincere and spontaneous wish that others are free from suffering and its causes. Love and rampassicmare some of ffiebest and finest positive qualities of the 1
human mind and heart They are the root of all goodness, peace, happiness, and harmony from &e mdividual to the global level As a human being, it is your moral responsibility to train your mind in true love and compassion towards all forms of life without exception. This practice booklet contains the Yidam Arya Chenrezig Saddhana in a dear and cond^ form in order to make it easier to practice in a short sitting session. In this confused time, we need a spiritual life and a compassionate mind to diffuse flie hatred and violence in the world, and to bring about peace, happiness, and harmony. This practice will help you achieve this state of mind. By developing true love and compassion the Chenrezig practice will also help you obtain a peaceful deatti and therefore a higher fortunate rebirth. You will experience less confusion, highteiiing hallucmations and struggle less in the process of finding a new life in the bardo state. Desirous attachment and dinging to this life and to your material wealth are the primary causes for getting lost in the darkness of confusion and the terrifying hallucinations in the bardo state. By engaging in the Chenrezig sadhana (practice) you will become familiar with an image of Qienrezig and the sound of his six pliable mantra which can spontaneously arise in your mind even at the final stage of death. This will hdp to free yourself from the fear, confusion, terrifying halludnations, and disturbing thoughts and emotions that arise while you are in the gradual process of an ordinary death. Ninety-nine percent of living beings experience these disturbing thoughts and emotions while dying. Going through the death process with these thoughts will ensure that they will be experienced more intensely by you in the bardo state. This highfy disturbii^ state of mind is ctremely bad for yoxu future rebirth because it will cause you to be reborn in the lower realms of existence in an extremely poor and adverse living environment There die levels of pain and suffering and the causes and conditions for suffering are 100 times higher than with a fortunate rebirth. So, dying with a cakn and peaceful state of mind is a very critical and important factor for a good rebirth in the future. I sincerely and deeply encourage you to practice true love and compassion for your own happiness, and to protect our human world from hatred and violence. Our human world will not be destroyed by any other beings except hiunans. So, make compassion your religion and a path to peace and happiness for you and all forms of living beings. WHO IS ARYA CHENREZIG? Chenrezig is the Tibetan name for Avalokiteshvara. He is known as die Buddha of Compassion because he is considered the embodiment of compassion of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions. He is said to have been bom in the following way. One day as Buddha Shakyamimi sat in deep meditation he radiated a pure white lotus-like light that reached the pure land of the Buddha Amitabha and 2
dissolved into Amitabha's heart Atferward, this same white light reoccurred in the Buddha Amitabha's heart and became a lake of nectar filled with various types of lotuses. Among the lotuses in the lake, one was exceptionally large, bright, and radiant Arya Chenrezig was bom from that lotus with very distinct physical characteristics and complete in the nature of compassion. Buddha Amitabha took a deep sense of joy and delight in the birfli of Chenrezig and praised him highly with encouraging words in support of his compassionate determination to serve all sentient beings until they reach full enlightenment By saying OAf MANI PADME HflEM (pronounced like "hung") along with its detailed spiritual meaning, he predicted that this mantra would be helpful for ripening the minds of sentient beings and for generating compassion in their hearts and minds. At that very moment thousands of Buddhas gathered at the spot and profoimdly praised and supported Chenrezig's determination with their prayers and blessings. Arya Chenrezig then kneeled down before the thousands of Buddhas and openly reaffirmed his commitment by renewing his promise to release all sentient beings from the ocean of samsara and lead them to the everlasting happiness of ^ilightenment. He also promised: May I never have the intention of seeking my own state of peace and abiding in it until all sentient beings are released from the pain and suffering of samsara. At the end Arya Chenrezig made the declaration of truth before die eyes of all the Buddhas: ^ould I ever lose my hope and my determination to first release all sentient beings from samsara and instead seek my own enlightenment, may my head burst into ten pieces and may my body into a fiiousand. After working hard to help and guide sentient beings towards the attainment of enlightenment^ Chenrezig became completely exhausted and very weak and fragile. So he went for rest and rejuvenation to the Dm zin reewo, a special motmtain located at the south of our physical world. When he returned and again began to serve sentient beings, he suddenly realized how hard it was to tame ffie saitient beings' deluded minds, and how difficult it was to satisfy them. Regardless of how much he had their interest in mind, he would receive complaints and negative comments. As a result, Chenreyzig felt sad and depressed and decided to give up his compassion toward all sentient beings and to begin to seek his own personal enlightenment. At this very moment, because of his promise and deckration of truth, his head burst into ten pieces and his body into a thousand. However, Amitabha Buddha appeared suddenly and put all offilepieces of Chenrezig's head and body together again saying: Oh my son, do not worry or feel sad. The ten pieces of your head will be 3
blessed to turn into eleven feces, and the thousands of pieces of your body will be ble^d to turn into a thousand arms and a thousand eyes. You will regain your courage, determination and compassion to serve all sentient beings tmtil tiiey reach enlightenment Chenrezig with a thousand arms, a thousand eyes, and eleven faces came into existence. Since then Amitabha Buddha became the primary supporter and assistant in tiie spiritual work of Chenrezig. CHENREZIG AND TIBETANS One day when Buddha Shakyamuni was living in the place called "the garden of milk," as he was smuing, the land of Tibet was filled with a radiant white light When this was happened, the Bodhisattva Dripa Nam-seB asked the Buddha about die significance of the light The Buddha replied that it was a sign that in the future the land of Tibet and the Tibetan people will be imder the spiritual care of Chenrezig. Later, when the Buddha Siakyamuni was about to pass into pariniroam (dissolution of the gross physical body from the eyes of the world), Chenrezig made an earnest request to the Buddha to not pass away so that he could continue to serve and guide sentient beings to enlightenment The Buddha replied ttiathe did not have any karmically ripened disciples left on this earth. Chenrezig then inquired about the people from the Land of Tibet, noting that they had not yet encountered the Dharma or the path to enlightenment The Buddha responded that the Tibetans would be Chenrezig's disciples and that he would have to take care of them. In this way the Buddha Shalymuni put the Tibetans in the hands of Chaireyzig. This is why there is a special karmic connection between Tibetans and Chenrezig. And why His Holiness fiie Dalai Lama, who is believed to be a manifestation of Chenrezig, is so loyally revered by Tibetans. THE MEANING OF THE SDC SYLLABLE MANTRA The practice of reciting the six syllable mantra, OM MANI PADME HOM (pronoxmced like "hung"), while visualizing the clear image of Chenrezig is a very effective way to generate compassion in your heart and mind. One translation of this mantra is: "oh he holding a Lotus and a Jewel in his hands". This means that Chenrezig is one who holds compassion and wisdom ' The Bodhisattva Drpa Nam-set was one of the eight dose disciples of the Buddha Shakyanuni. 1. Manjusttri (Jam Pel Yang), 2. Vajrapanl (Chali Na Dorjee), 3. AvalotJtshvara (Chenreyzig), 4. Ksitigaitha (Sah-yee NyingiX)), 5. Sarvanivaranavisl(ambini ( Dripa Nam-sel) 6. Al(a$hagarbha (Naml(ay Nying-po). 7. Maitriya (Galwa Jampa), 8. Samantabhadra (Kuntu Sangpo). 4
indivisibly united in his heart The six ^llables symbolize that the six sentient beings are the basis of purification;tihatpracticing the Six Perfections is the way to purify the body, speech, and mind of au sentient beings; and that the six Buddha families are the actual result of the process of purifying the stains of body, speech, and mind. The six sentient beings: 1. HeU beings 2. Wandering spirit or ghosts 3. Animals 4. Humans 5. Jealous Demi-Gods 6. Celestial beings or Gods The six perfections: 1. Giving 2. Ethics 3. Patience 4. Jo)dul effort 5. Meditation 6. Wisdom or Penetrative insight The six Buddha families: 1. Vairocana 2. Akshobhya 3. Ratnasambhava 4. Amitabha 5. Amoghasiddhi 6. Vajradhara. OM symbolizes the body, speech, and mind of the practitioner which are not purified as well as the body, speech, and mind of the enlightened beings. Om is actually composed of three letters. They are Ah, Au, Ma, whicii combined form the sound "OM ". Ah symbolizes the body, Au symbolizes speech. Ma symbolizes the mind. Ma-ni means wish fulfilling Jewel. Pad-me means the lotus that is unstained by the mud from which it arises. Hlim (himg) is the seed syllable of the mind. It symbolizes the indivisible union of Method and Wisdom, the direct spiritual cause for the attainment of the Rupa- Kaya and the Dharma-Kaya. The Rupa-kaya and the Dharma-Kaya are the two ultimate perfecffions of physical and mental statestihatare beyond all defects and imperfections. 5
The entire teachings oftihebuddha are contained within the meaning of the six syllable mantra of Chenrezig. This is why this mantra is very sacred and effective in generating all types of positive qualities of bcxiy, speech, and mind. The main purpose oftiherecitation of this mantra is to make you spiritually close to Qienrezig through the force of faith, devotion, respect trust, and humility. The recitation of this six syllable mantra is a powerful act to invoke the mind of Chenrezig and as a means to open up your heart and mind in order to generate compassion. In other words, it allows your mind to be soaked, saturated, and moistened with true compassion. Saturating your mind with true compassion is the first and foremost important spiritual step towards the attainment of enlightenment This act of invoking the mind of Chenrezig by reciting his mantra of sbc syllables is very similar to the act of a child calling his or her mother in a very soft and long tone in order to draw her compassionate attention to him or her with the willingness to give the child what he or she needs right away. 6
JANG CHUP KYI SEM RINPOCHE LA T5 PA! HOMAGE TO PRECIOUS BODHICITTA I bow and prostrate to all enlightened beings who are germinated from the predous Bodhidtta. Bodhidtta dispels the causes of an unfortunate lower rebirth, and creates die causes of a fortunate rebirth and pafli to ultimate happiness. Bodhidtta also leads to the state of non-aging and non-death. I prostrate and pay homage to the predous Bodhidtta. 7
CHEN-RE-ZIG-KYIGOM-DEY SHUK SO! CHENREZIG SADHANA TAKING REFUGE Dak-sok mar-gyur nam-kay ta-dang nyam-pey sem-chen tam-chey! /, and all mother sentient beings as vast as space, Du-dhee ney-zung tey jang-chub nying-po la chee-kyi bar-du pal-den la-ma namla! Go for refuge to the kind Guru from today until roe reachfitllenlightenment. q^'^'3js? ^q ^'qs'^q^' ^'qf3^'^ai'a«^^'^5j^'ni' qi5l'^'5ll<^ Kyab-su chee-wo! Dzok-pey san-gye chom-den dey-nam la kyap-su chee-wo! I go for refuge to the Buddhas, those who have gone beyond the ordinary state and have conquered all the obstructions. Dam-pey cho-nam la kyab-su chee-wo! I go for refiige to the Supreme Dharmas. <^iqqji5l'qs'*^^]'a^3j'^«^'<q' q^'^'35 i?' Pak-pey gen-dim nam-la kyab-su chee-wo!! And I go for refuge to the Arya Sanghas, those who have reached higher levels of spiritual realization. La-ma la Igrab-su chee-wo I go for refuge to die Guru 9
San-gye-la kyab-su chee-wo I go for refuge to the Buddha Ch6-la kyab-su chee-wo I go for refuge to the Dharma Gen-dim la kyab-su chee-wo I go for refuge to the Sangha Yi-dam tuk-jey dag-nyee phak-pa Chen-re-zig la kyab-su chee-wo I goifor rejiige to the Yidam Arya Chenrezig (who is in the nature of compassion) from depth of my heart (Recite 3 timesfrom "La-ma la I^tx-su. - -") GENERATING BOHDICITTA Sangyay chd-dang tsok-kyee chok-nam la In the Buddhas, Dharmas, and Sanghas, ^i;"^q-q^-^-q:^«j '^- qx5r^'s} i5ri Jang-chub bar-du dak-nee kyab-su chee 1 tote refuge until I am enlightened. Dak-kee jin-sok gyee-pay su-nam kyee By the merit of practicing giving and so forth, Dro-la pen-cheer San-gye druppar shok. May I attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. (Recite 3 times)
THE FOUR IMMEASURABLES Mar-gyur sem-chen tahm-die de-wa dang de-way gjoi-dang den-par gyur-chik May all mother sentient beings have happiness and the causes of happiness. Sem-chen tahm-die duk-ngd dang duk-ngel gyi-gyu dang-dral war-gyur duk Akiy all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering. Sem-dien tahm-die duk-ngel mey-pey de-wa dang mee-dral war-g)rur diik haay all sentient beings never be separated from the happiness that is free from suffering. Sem-dien tahm-die nyeh-ring diag-dhang nyi-dang dral-wey tang-nyom la-ney par-gyurdiik!! h/lay all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion, which causes me to hold some close and others distant. (Recite 3 times) VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT ]P'=^'SJ^'5I'^3I^'^aj'g3J^*^«^' '^^ai'^' ^'q- a;-q3;'qz;-i;^q '^ ^'<^qq's'aj^'^2;'gq'qa;'^' Kyey-par ma sem-dien tahm-diey kyi don-du nyur-wa nyur-war yang dak-par zog-p^ san-gye kyi go-pang dii nge kyang thob-par ja VJith a sense of urgency, I must strive for the attainment, as quicmy as possible, of a precious jewel like enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. Dee diir-du pak-pa Chen-re-zig kyi gyom-dhey la juk-par gyee-wo!! Therefore, I shall engage in the Arya Chenrezig Saddhana Practice. n
Four A r m Chenrezig to aid to your visualization
VISUALIZATION OF ARYA CHENREZIG Visualize Chenrezig on the crown of your head as if the real living Chenrezig is actually tiiere by reciting the following, which will help you generate a dear and complete image of the Four Arm Chenrezig in your mind. Dak-sok kha-kyab sem-dien gyi! Chi-tsug peyr-kar da-wai teng! On the crown of my head and the heads of all heings as vast as space are a white lotus and moon. Hri-ley pak-chog Chen-re-zig! Abcfoe this is the syllable ^ (Hri) which turns into the supreme Arya Chenrezig. Kar-seJ wo-zer nga-den trol He is in white and radiates a bright dear light of thefivecolors. Dze-dzum tuk-jey chen-gyi zig! He gazes with compassionate eyes and a lovely smile. «j 'q^''^qq'g<3i' ^'34<«^' Chag-shee dang-po thd-jar dze! He has four arms. The first two arefoldedin a jewel dtape resting at his heart. Wok-nyee shel-treng pey-kar nam! The lower second right holds a crystal mala that he is puuing towards him, and the lower second left holds a white lotus. Dhar-dang rin-chen gyen-gyi trey! He is arrayed infinesilks andjeivels. 13
Ri-dag pak-peytoe-yoksol! He wears an upper robe of doeskin. W6-pak mey-pey 6-gyen chen! His head ornament is Amitabha Buddha of boundless light. Shab-nyi dor-^ kyil-trung shuk! He is seated in the full htus position; Dri-mey da-war gyab-isen pa! A stainless moon is his backrest. Kyab-ney kun-du ngo-wor gyur!! He is the embodiment of the essence of all the Buddhas. (WhOe holding the visualization of Cheniezig as clearly as possible, engage in actual and imagined offerings.) OFFERINGS: THE SEVEN LIMB PRAYER Pak-pa Qhen-re-zig wang-dang! Qiok-diu du-sum shuk-pa yee! Gyal-wa se-che tiham-che la! Kim-ne dang-wey chag-fsel lo!! To the Arya Oienrezig, and to all the BuiWtas and Bodhisattoas who dwell in the ten directions and three times, I bow and prostrate with devotion and trust. 14
Mey-tok duk-p6 mar-me dri! Shal-ze rol-mo la-sok pa! Ngo-jor yi-kyi trul-ne bul! Pak-pey tsog-kyi shey-su sol!! I make offering both actual and imagined offloxoers, incense, lights, scented water, food, music and much more. I beseech the exalted assemblage to accept these offerings. %^\^^'^f^'3^f!^'^<^^^x,^ k'^^^^si^^-^^f^^ ^m'^'^^^m'^k^^k\ Thog-ma me-ne da-tai bar! Mi-gey chu-dang tsam-mey nga! Sem-ni nybn-mong wang-gyur pey! Dik-pa tham-che shag-par gyi! / confess all the ten non-virtuous ads, thefiveimmediate retribution acts, and all the other negative acts that I have committed from beginning less time until now under the influence of obscuring passions. q^^^^'aj3;i^ a ^ q^^^ S ;^q ^ ^ '^'aj-^ijj25rci25l ^2Jl-q]^3i'i^^'q'S-qi?iq i51'qs Nyen-flio rang-gyel jang-chub sem! So-so Igre-wo la-sok f>ey! Du-sum gey-wa chisak pey! So-nam la-ni dak-yi rang! I repice in tfw merit of whatever virtue Shraoakas, Pratyekabuddhas, Bodhisattvas and ordinary beings have gathered throughout the three times. Sem-chen nam-k)d sam-pa dang! Lo-yi je-drak ji-ta war! Che-chung tun-mong tekpa yi! Ch5-kyi kor-lo kor-du sol!! I pray that the wheel of the Dharma be turned in the form of the greater, lesser and ordinary vehicles so that all sentient beings, regardless of aptitude or motive, may understand. 15
Kor-wa ji-si ma-tong par! Nya-ngm mi-da flmk-je yi! Duk-ngel gya-tsor jing-wa yi! Sem-chm nam-la zig-su sol!! I beseech the Buddhas not to pass into pariniroam until samsara is completely eliminated and to look with compassion on all sentient beings who are drowning in this ocean of samsaric sufferings. q«^il]'i )^q^«^'3j31^' 'qi51tr ^'q gw6«^'52;i CJ' ^' ^'aj^ ^z;'q^'s'?«i ^'<^'5' q-^l c^aj'qs'«^q<3j'^'q«^q '^^'Str 'j Dak-gi so-nam dii-sak pa! Than-che jang-chub gyur-gyur ney! Ring-por mi-thog dro-wa yi! Drm-pey pal-du dag-gyur dug!! May whatever merit I heme accumulated become a seed for the enlightenment of all beings. Upon reaching enlightenment myself, may I develop, mthout delay, the qualities of a refuge for all beings. SUPPUCAnON PRAYER Kyon-kyi ma-go ku-dok kar! Dzok-sang gye-kyi o-la gym! Tuk-jey chm-gyi drola zik! chm-ray zik-la chak-tsel lo! Not veiled by any fault, white in color, with a perfect Buddha as your head ornament, gazing ampastionately on all beings, to you Oienrezig, all seeing one, I prostrate. Om Mani Padme hiim Chw ma-ni pad-me hung (Redte mantra as times as you can) 16
DEDICATION Gey-wa di-yi nyur-du dag! Through the virtue of this practice, Chen-re-zig wang drab-gyur ney May I now quicmy attain the state of Oienrezig, Dro-wa dhig-kyrang ma-iu pa! And to this same state, not erne left behind, ^ '^'q-<:^i^e^-q^-^tjj- De-yi sa-la goe-par shog!! May 1 come to lead every being to that state. qj^z;'<^3j' q'ai'q^aj'q5'a <21'A^«l]^'^3j' Tong-len lung-ia kyon-pey trul-dek chen In the powerfid practice of mounting, tcddng and giving upon the breadi. Jam-dang nying-jey hlak-pey sam-pa yi I«developing love, compassion and a special selfless attitude. Dro-nam si-tso die-ley drol-wey dhir And to release all being fromtirevast ocean ofsamsam, ^2;'^q'^w s^'q q^'qa;' ^' ^- qi5}-j Jang-chup sem-nyi jong-par pn-gi lob J seek your (Oienrezig's) blessings to become adept in supreme bodhidtta. (pause briefly) 17
Jang-chub sem-chok Rin-po-che! Bodhidtta is precious. Ma-kye pa-nam kye-gyur chik! May those who haoe not engendered it, engender it; Kye pa nyam pa me pa dang! May those who have engendered it, not lose it. Gong-ney gong-du pehl-war shok!! May it always grow and increase!! Rang-ddn drub-la nam-yang mey-rey shing! May I never dwell on the desire to fulfill my own interest, Shen-d6n bha-shik drab-la shol-wa dang! May I solely strive for the benefit of others, Chen-dang nyon-shey ma-kay z6-pa sok! May all necessary ways to betufit others such as wisdom eyes, dairvoyance, skillful ways speak, patience and so forth; Shen-ddn jey-pey kyen-nam tsang-war shok! May I possess all of these benefiting qualities quickly. Reflect deeply for a moment^
This booklet contains the Yidam Arya Chenrezig Saddhana composed by the Second Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Nyima, in a clear and concise form in order to make it easier to practice in a short sitting session. The practice utilizes Yidam Arya Chenrezig, who is the embodiment of compassion of all the Buddhas of the past, present, and future. It is considered to be the most effective way to develop true love and compassion. Like Arya Chenrezig you must fully develop love and compassion towards all sentient beings with no exception. Love and compassion are some of the best and finest positive qualities of the human mind and heart. They are the root of all goodness, peace, happiness, and harmony from the individual to the global level. Geshe Dakpa Topgyal, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, was bom in the Western region of Tibet, and fled to India at the age of six. He entered Drepimg Monastery at the age of ten and received his Geshe degree (Doctorate of Religion and Philosophy) twenty-two years later in 1994. Before coming to the United States, he taught in Europe for several years. He has been the resident monk of the Charleston Tibetan Society in Charleston, South Carolina since 1996. Geshe Dakpa Topgyal is a skillful and experienced teacher who holds the distinction of having both a thorough knowledge of Buddhism and an excellent command of the English language.